This totem pole was a gift to the Alma Mater Society and stood in front of Brock Hall from 1948 until the 1970’s. Under old tribal laws and customs, the dedication by Neel and Chief Scow entitled the university and its varsity teams to use the Thunderbird name and symbol legally for the first time, permission and status that are unique honours for any institution or team and now possessed by UBC. and the hereditary chief of the Kwakwaka’ wakw people. and Chief William Scow, who at that time was President of the Native Brotherhood of B.C. Over 5,000 fans and students were witness to a ceremony involving the presentation of a 16-foot high Thunderbird totem to the university by well-known carver Ellen Neel of Alert Bay, B.C. 30, 1948, at halftime of the homecoming football game at UBC’s old Varsity Stadium. The Thunderbird is a high-ranking, mythical, powerful creature, indigenous to the West Coast and under whose protection come brotherhood, peace and goodwill. west coast would officially grant permission to UBC to use the Thunderbird name and emblem.

However, it was close to 15 years later that the Kwakwaka’ wakw people of the B.C. 31, 1934 after a lengthy and spirited debate, the name “Thunderbird” emerged victorious. Not amused, the Pep Club and Ubyssey staff took matters into their own hands and on Jan. However, when the ballots were counted the name “Seagulls,” a write-in candidate, was found to be the winner!

At the time UBC sports teams were simply known as the “Blue and Gold,” or “Varsity.” After narrowing the suggestions from the student body down to the six best: Corsairs, Grizzlies, Spartans, Thunderbirds, Golden Eagles, and Musqueams, it was put to a vote. In November 1933, the sports department at the Ubyssey staged a contest among students to select a nickname for the university’s sport teams.

The thunderbird